The first IGF-USA will take place on October 2, 2009 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The IGF-USA is a multistakeholder effort to raise awareness about Internet governance issues and to contribute to awareness about the Internet Governance Forum. IGF-USA is a one day forum to engage civil society, government, technologists/researchers, industry and academia in discussions about topics that are being deliberated at a global level regarding governance of the Internet, including management of critical Internet resources, privacy, cyber security, access, openness/freedom of expression, child online safety, capacity building and development. At the IGF-USA, like the IGF itself, all parties participate on an equal footing, and through identifying and discussing issues, participants help to broaden understanding and identify possible best practices that can inform global decisions that affect the Internet.

When?: Friday, October 2, 2009

Where?: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1800 K Street, NW, Washington DC. The CSIS location is one block from the Farragut West station on the Orange and Blue lines. Take the 18th Street exit and walk north to the corner of 18th and K streets. CSIS is also just a few blocks away from the Farragut North station on the Red line.

European actors interested in Internet Governance issues will meet on 14-15 September at the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in preparation of the 4th Internet Governance Forum that will be held in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2009. This Dialogue intends to highlight in particular the specific European approach to the interplay between security, privacy, and openness: "they will not be discussed as concepts that only conflict with each other and therefore need to be balanced; but rather as principles that can be fostered simultaneously and even mutually reinforce each other." The main focus will be put on identifying - based on European experience - situations and solutions that reflect and respond to these issues and challenges."

eLAC is a regionally concerted strategy that conceives of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) as instruments for economic development and social inclusion. eLAC is a strategy with a long-term vision (until 2015) in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and those of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). There are 13 Working Groups under eLAC2010, which group regional experts from various sectors to research and develop joint initiatives related to specific eLAC goals. Each group is led by one country, which appoints the group's coordinator.

The list of all the working groups are available at E-LAC's website. Working Groups use a virtual platform to centralize information, upload documents and hold chats or meetings in cyberspace. To participate in a working group, you have to contact your National Focal Point, or the Information Society Programme at UN-ECLAC (socinfocepal.org).